The etymology of jovial takes us to the late Latin word Ioviālis, which refers to that which belongs to Jupiter . That is why the concept can be used to refer to what is linked to Jupiter , also known as Jove (god of Roman mythology).
The most common use of the notion, however, refers to what is festive or fun . Jovial, in this framework, is an adjective that qualifies someone who is happy or happy .
For example: “Even in the worst moments he maintained a jovial and optimistic attitude” , “The hotel has a modern and cheerful profile that is perfect for younger travelers” , “The man's jovial appearance surprised the rescuers” .
A jovial atmosphere , to cite one example, is informal, not very solemn and entertaining. In an office with a jovial atmosphere, therefore, work is relaxed and employees have wide freedoms.
A person with a jovial spirit , on the other hand, usually makes jokes, does not get depressed in the face of adversity and maintains a good mood. These individuals stand out for their positive attitude and for trying to minimize conflicts in social ties.
All of this can help us understand the bases of the personality that is generally considered jovial , but psychology shows us that the mind of a human being is much more complex than it seems. We often try to define people with a single word: fun, depressed, active, lazy, etc. However, it is enough to look at ourselves closely to discover that we are a set of several qualities, some of them contradictory.
Contradictions, in fact, are an almost inherent part of our nature, they are the source of that spark, of those explosions that give rise to evolution. If we moved in only one direction and in only one sense, life would lack emotion. Someone who only knows how to smile does not know happiness, because they cannot contrast it with sadness, for example. For this reason, many of the individuals we describe as "jovial" are also depressed; they can also sink into a hole when faced with problems, although they do not discuss it with those around them.
This corresponds to the balance of each person, to the opposing forces that must act in the personality to keep it alive and give rise to potential movements in new directions. Without this tension there would be no maturation, and we would be exactly the same at five years old and at ninety.
In a social group there must also be balance for it to function and develop. It is not normal to meet a group of friends who all have the same personality , the same tastes and frustrations, needs and fears. A union of this type is not natural. Without an introverted individual, for example, the extrovert cannot offer others the effervescent effects of his way of being; In turn, without this duo, the introvert cannot provide others with that calm and introspection that is so necessary. A jovial being, a quiet one, an impulsive one and a reflective one, among others, can be the beginning of an ideal recipe to form a group that can face a wide range of different situations.
Jovial is also the name of a Swiss brand of watches, pens, wallets, bags and perfumes. It was founded in 1929 in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds and currently has points of sale in countries such as Russia , Canada , the United Arab Emirates and Thailand , among others.
Jovial Foods, Inc. , finally, is a company dedicated mainly to the marketing of gluten-free pastas , cookies and flours. It also produces and sells products made with einkorn wheat flour, also known as einkorn or einkorn wheat.